The United States announced, this Sunday, the sending of a THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) anti-missile defense system and soldiers to operate it in Israel. This measure is a response to the recent Iranian attack and aims to strengthen Israeli air defensive capabilities.
President Joe Biden stated that the decision to send the system was to “defend Israel”. According to Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder, the deployment of THAAD will complement Israel’s integrated air defense system, already robust but strained by recent attacks.
“It’s part of the broader adjustment the U.S. military has been making in recent months to support Israel’s defense and protect Americans from attacks from Iran and Iranian-aligned militias,” Ryder explained.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reacted to the news by warning that the United States was putting the lives of its soldiers at risk by deploying them to operate US missile systems on Israeli soil.
This movement occurs in a context of escalating tensions in the region. In April, Iran had already launched missiles and drones against Israel, followed by a massive attack on October 1, where more than 180 ballistic missiles were fired into Israeli territory.
Although many missiles were intercepted by Israel’s defense system, some managed to penetrate the defensive barriers.
The reinforcement of Israel’s air defenses through the deployment of the THAAD system and US troops marks a new chapter in military cooperation between the US and Israel, reflecting the continued concern for regional stability and the security of close allies in confrontations with the Iran and its allied militias.
With information from Reuters
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2024/10/15/eua-reforcam-defesa-aerea-de-israel-com-envio-de-sistema-antimisseis-thaad-e-tropas/
